I chose Tumblr as my app. Tumblr is considered a blogging site. Blogs have been around for a while and are really like online journals or diaries. Tumblr allows for more than just posting text. It allows its users to post pictures, links, music, and even videos. Users can post from their desktop, tablet, or smartphone. This allows for access to the site wherever one happens to be. Tumblr users will find it easy to express themselves using this simple yet effective blogging platform.
Like most blogs, Tumblr is concerned with the idea of letting people express themselves. Where Tumblr differs is its minimalist design. User can select from an array of backgrounds upon which they can share whatever is on their minds. Tumblr also allows its users to follow others, reblog others posts, open up their blogs for comments and questions, and also view top Tumblr sites. Tumblr could be viewed as a happy medium between the "busyness" of Facebook and the "limitations" of Twitter.
Benefits of Tool or App
It's free! Students and teachers get the full experience of this app without having to pay for add ons.
User friendly. One of the most common positive comments one will read anout this app on the internet is how easy it is to use. The dashboard is simple and easy to follow for even the most inexperienced social media users.
Ability to personalize your site. Users can choose from various background thems which gives their blog a personal touch.
The ability to follow others and vice versa. Just like most social media, Tumblr users can follow others with similar interests. Since Tumblr is a very visual environment, this allows one to post stunning pictures and/or videos which should interest most teenage students.
Mobile Apps available for Android and Apple devices.
Constraints of Tool or App
Not as easy to dialogue with others as on Facebook or Twitter. No direct message component.
Not everyone is "on" Tumblr. Smaller audience. For those that want to reach large audiences, Tumblr is not as popular as Facebook or Twitter.
Not as many customization options when compared to Wordpress and other blogging sites. Tumblrs advantage of simplicity may not be for everyone.
Since it is a “social media” site, some school systems may not allow secondary students to have accounts due to the open environment.
How To Use Tool or App
Go to __Tumblr.com__ and click on Sign Up in the upper right hand corner of the page.
You will be prompted to enter your email and then you will create a password and username.
Once you are logged in, Tumblr will send you a verification email. Simply login to your email account and click on the link. This will take you to your Tumblr “dashboard”.
Once at your dashboard, you will see several buttons at the top: Text, Photo, Quote, Link, Chat, Audio, Video.
Now you are ready to share whatever is on your mind. Maybe it’s the latest class projects or presentation video. Hit the appropriate button and post it!
Original Artifact of Tool or App (created by someone in your house)
Classroom Uses for Tool or App
Student Uses - Students can post assignments and share them with other students and the teacher. This would also be an excellent way for students to journal especially given the "visual" nature of the app. Students could do more than just write. They could post video, pictures, and links to better express themselves. The ease of use would not require much extra learning for the students. They would be able to jump right in and start working with minimal instructions.
Teacher Uses - Teachers could use student's Tumblr posts as a formative assessment during group assignments or individual projects. This would also serve as a great place for a "Homework/Classwork Blog". Teachers could also form online "learning communities and share ideas as well.
Description of Tool or App
I chose Tumblr as my app. Tumblr is considered a blogging site. Blogs have been around for a while and are really like online journals or diaries. Tumblr allows for more than just posting text. It allows its users to post pictures, links, music, and even videos. Users can post from their desktop, tablet, or smartphone. This allows for access to the site wherever one happens to be. Tumblr users will find it easy to express themselves using this simple yet effective blogging platform.Like most blogs, Tumblr is concerned with the idea of letting people express themselves. Where Tumblr differs is its minimalist design. User can select from an array of backgrounds upon which they can share whatever is on their minds. Tumblr also allows its users to follow others, reblog others posts, open up their blogs for comments and questions, and also view top Tumblr sites. Tumblr could be viewed as a happy medium between the "busyness" of Facebook and the "limitations" of Twitter.
Benefits of Tool or App
Constraints of Tool or App
How To Use Tool or App
Original Artifact of Tool or App (created by someone in your house)
Classroom Uses for Tool or App
Student Uses - Students can post assignments and share them with other students and the teacher. This would also be an excellent way for students to journal especially given the "visual" nature of the app. Students could do more than just write. They could post video, pictures, and links to better express themselves. The ease of use would not require much extra learning for the students. They would be able to jump right in and start working with minimal instructions.
Teacher Uses - Teachers could use student's Tumblr posts as a formative assessment during group assignments or individual projects. This would also serve as a great place for a "Homework/Classwork Blog". Teachers could also form online "learning communities and share ideas as well.